Demonstrators around the world march for peace

More than a million anti-war protesters poured into the streets of cities around the globe at the weekend to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and to demand the withdrawal of coalition troops.

From Sydney to Tokyo, from Santiago, Chile, to Madrid, London, New York and San Francisco, demonstrators condemned US policy in Iraq and said they did not believe Iraqis were better off or the world safer because of the war.

A crowd estimated at more than 250,000 streamed through Rome in probably the biggest single protest.

In London, two anti-war protesters climbed the Big Ben tower at the Houses of Parliament and unfurled a banner reading "Time for Truth".

About 25,000 demonstrators gathered in central London, many carrying "wanted" posters bearing images of US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Concern over the war has been most evident in Spain, where thousands demonstrated a week after voting out the conservative government that sent troops to Iraq. Many Spaniards linked Madrid's support for the war to the March 11 train bombs, blamed on Islamic militants, which killed 202 people.